Post-Operative Instructions & Follow-up Care

Plainview Surgical Care, Plainview Texas

Post-Operative Instructions and Follow-up Care
General Post Operative Instructions Breast Biopsy Gallbladder Removal Hemorrhoid Removal Hernia Repair Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy Procedure
General Post Operative Instructions
Wound Care	It is ok to shower 24 hours after your surgery. Avoid tub-baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the incisions are completely healed. Call the doctor's office for any problems with the incision such as redness, undue swelling, fluid drainage, or signs of infection.
Activity	Your body will require rest until you feel able to resume your normal routine, usually a week up to a month is needed for your recovery. It will take one month to six weeks until you are ready to resume heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or any strenuous exercise. Until then, "Don't Overdo It!"
Pain Medication	You should have a prescription for a pain reliever such as Darvocet, Vicoden or Lortab. These are preparations that combine a mild narcotic with acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol. Do not take Tylenol while you are taking any of these prescriptions. Take this medication as prescribed, usually 1 or 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed. Pain relievers sometimes can cause constipation. A good method of prevention is to take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia every day you have to use the pain pills. You may also use "over the counter" Ibuprofen (Advil) instead of your prescription or in combination with the prescription medicine. If you choose to use Ibuprofen along with your prescription, take it on a six hour dosing schedule and alternate with the prescription every three hours. No driving while taking the prescription pain pills. No alcohol containing drinks while taking the prescription pain pills. Call the doctor's office for pain that is not controlled with your prescription or is getting worse, especially if accompanied by a fever. You should notice improvement and decreasing discomfort each day.
Breast Biopsy
Wound Care	Your incision is closed with a "buried" suture line and covered with a clear, plastic bandage. It is ok to shower with or without the bandage in place 24 hours after your surgery. Avoid tub baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the incision is completely healed. The bandage may be removed three to five days after the operation. Call the doctor’s office for any problems with the incision, such as redness, undue swelling, fluid drainage, or signs of infection.
Activity	You should be able to resume your normal activities within one or two days. It will be one month until you are ready to resume heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or any strenuous exercise. Until then, "Don’t Overdo It!" Wear the binder you were given in the hospital for 24-48 hours, day and night. Wearing a bra, even for sleeping, during the first week may help relieve discomfort.
Pain Medication	You should have a prescription for a pain reliever such as Darvocet, Vicoden or Lortab. These are preparations that combine a mild narcotic with acetaminophen the ingredient in Tylenol. Do not take Tylenol while you are taking any of these prescriptions. Take this medication as prescribed, usually one or two tablets every six hours as needed. Pain relievers sometimes can cause constipation. A good method of prevention is to take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia every day you have to use the pain pills. You may also use "over the counter" Ibuprofen (Advil) instead of your prescription or in combination with the prescription medicine. If you choose to use Ibuprofen along with your prescription, take it on a six -hour dosing schedule and alternate with the prescription every three hours. An ice pack to the incision, intermittently, during the first 24-48 hours, may help relieve discomfort and keep swelling down. No driving while taking the prescription pain pills. No alcoholic drinks while taking the prescription pain pills. Call the doctor’s office for pain that is not controlled with your prescription or is getting worse. You should notice improvement and decreasing discomfort each day.
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy)
Wound Care	Your incisions are closed with a "buried" suture line and covered with small tapes. The dressings can be removed in 24 hours. The tapes can be removed after five days. It is ok to shower 24 hours after your surgery. Avoid tub baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the incisions are completely healed. Call the doctor’s office for any problems with the incision such as redness, undue swelling, fluid drainage, or signs of infection.
Diet	Most people are able to resume a normal diet after gallbladder surgery. Occasionally, some people experience mild cramping and indigestion. If you continue to have trouble with some types of food, these difficulties will usually get better on their own within six weeks.
Activity	Your body will require about one week of rest until you feel able to resume your normal routine. This includes driving. It will take two weeks until you are ready to resume heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or any strenuous exercise. Until then, "Don’t Overdo It!"
Pain Medication	You should have a prescription for a pain reliever such as Darvocet, Vicoden, or Lortab. These are preparations that combine a mild narcotic with acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol. Do not take Tylenol while you are taking any of these prescriptions. Take this medication as prescribed, usually one or two tablets every six hours as needed. Pain relievers sometimes can cause constipation. A good method of prevention is to take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia every day you have to use the pain pills. You may also use "over the counter" Ibuprofen (Advil) instead of your prescription or in combination with the prescription medicine. If you choose to use Ibuprofen along with your prescription, take it on a six hour dosing schedule and alternate with the prescription every three hours. No driving while taking the prescription pain pills. No alcohol containing drinks while taking the prescription pain pills. Call the doctor’s office for pain that is not controlled with your prescription or is getting worse, especially if accompanied by a fever. You should notice improvement and decreasing discomfort each day.
Hemorroid Removal
Wound Care	Sits-bath. During the first week following surgery, sitting in a bath of warm water twice a day will help healing and with relief. You should take a sits-bath after each bowel movement. During the initial 48 hours after your procedure, an ice pack to the operative area intermittently may help reduce swelling and provide relief. You will be instructed to obtain an over-the-counter stool softener, which should be taken daily for at least two weeks following your surgery. Call the doctor’s office for any problems such as undue swelling, fluid drainage or signs of infection.
Activity	Your body will require rest until you feel able to resume your normal routine, usually a week up to 1 month is needed for your recovery. It will take time until you are ready to resume heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or any strenuous exercise. Until then, "Don’t Overdo It!"
Pain Medication	You should have a prescription for a pain reliever such as Darvocet, Vicoden, or Lortab. These are preparations that combine a mild narcotic with acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol. Do not take Tylenol while you are taking any of these prescriptions. Take this medication as prescribed, usually one to two tablets every six hours as needed. Pain relievers sometimes can cause constipation. A good method of prevention is to take a laxative, such as Milk of Magnesia, every day you have to use the pain pills. You may also use "over the counter" Ibuprofen (Advil) instead of your prescription or in combination with the prescription medicine. If you choose to use Ibuprofen along with your prescription, take it on a six hour dosing schedule and alternate with the prescription every three hours. No driving while taking the prescription pain pills. No alcohol containing drinks while taking the prescription pain pills. Call the doctor’s office for pain that is not controlled with your prescription or is getting worse, especially if accompanied by a fever. You should notice improvement and decreasing discomfort each day.
Hernia Inguinal (Groin) Repair
Wound Care	Your incisions are closed with a "buried" suture line and covered with clear, plastic bandage. The dressings can be removed three or five days after the operation. It is ok to shower with or without the bandage in place 24 hours after your surgery. Avoid tub baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the incisions are completely healed. Swelling and bruising on the scrotum and penis after hernia surgery sometimes occurs and will go away on its own in several days. Call if you are unable to urinate. Call the doctor’s office for any problems with the incision, such as redness, undue swelling, fluid drainage, or signs of infection.
Activity	Your body will require about one week of rest until you feel able to resume your normal routine. This includes driving. It will take one month to six weeks until you are ready to resume heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or any strenuous exercise. Until then, "Don’t Overdo It!"
Pain Medication	You should have a prescription for a pain reliever, such as Darvocet, Vicoden, or Lortab. These are preparations that combine a mild narcotic with acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol. Do not take Tylenol while you are taking any of these prescriptions. Take this medication as prescribed, usually one or two tablets every six hours, as needed. Pain relievers sometimes can cause constipation. A good method of prevention is to take a laxative, such as Milk of Magnesia, every day you have to use the pain pills. You may also use "over the counter" Ibuprofen (Advil) instead of your prescription or in combination with the prescription medicine. If you choose to use Ibuprofen along with your prescription, take it on a six hour dosing schedule and alternate with the prescription every three hours. An ice pack to the incision, intermittently, during the first 24-48 hours may help relieve discomfort and keep swelling down. No driving while taking the prescription pain pills. No alcohol containing drinks while taking the prescription pain pills. Call the doctor’s office for pain that is not controlled with your prescription or is getting worse, especially if accompanied by a fever. You should notice improvement and decreasing discomfort each day.
Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy Procedure
	PURCHASE OVER THE COUNTER: You will need to purchase Dulcolax tablets (or the generic) and a bottle of MiraLAX (238 gram). You may get these products at Wal-Mart, United, or CVS. ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE: The day before the procedure we want you to be on a clear liquid diet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No solid foods, milk, or milk products. THE CLEAR LIQUIDS YOU MAY HAVE INCLUDE: Water Strained fruit juice (pulp free and with no texture) Clear broth or bullion (chicken broth or beef broth) Coffee or tea Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks Gatorade Kool Aid Jell-O Ice Popsicles YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANYTHING RED OR PURPLE. At 3 p. m., take 4 Dulcolax tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquid. At 5 p. m., mix the 238 gram bottle of MiraLAX in 64 ounces of Gatorade, lemonade, or water. Shake the solution until the MiraLax is dissolved. Drink until the solution is gone. You have approximately two hours to drink the solution. We suggest drinking eight ounces every 10 minutes and that will get the solution down in about two hours. Continue drinking clear liquids until bedtime. NO LIQUIDS AFTER MIDNIGHT! If you take blood pressure medication or heart medicine, you need to take those with a sip of water the morning of the procedure. Hold all other medications!! ARRIVE FOR YOUR COLONOSCOPY AT THE SCHEDULED TIME.